By Naeisha Rose

From the beginning, the study of history, social studies and other subjects in the American classroom has been surface level at best when it comes to Black, Asian or other minority and underrepresented groups, according to education activists and elected officials who fight for more representation in classroom syllabi.

In a push to address that, the Big Apple has been working to create more equitable curricula, but progress has been slow.

The city Department of Education told the Chronicle via email that it knows students at its public schools learn best when they see themselves and their community reflected in the classroom.

“We are proud to honor and celebrate the rich cultures across our city and, through our landmark Hidden Voices initiative, we offer educators lesson plans and other curricular resources that draw on the stories, events, and people who are so often left out of textbooks,” said DOE spokeswoman Isla Gething.

The Hidden Voices curricular resources were designed to supplement existing social studies, history, English language arts and other subjects and includes lesson plans, comic books and posters that reflect the people and events that are not typically included in textbooks.

To date, Stories of the Global African Diaspora volumes 1 and 2; Americans with Disabilities; LGBTQ+; and Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions, are available at all schools.

“This work is incredibly important, and we’ll never stop working to ensure all of our students are included, represented, and empowered,” Gething continued.

To read the entire article: https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/a-culturally-relevant-education/article_ee786374-73ef-57fc-805c-019f0ffee3b4.html

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